Hyderabad: Ahead of monsoon, HYDRAA orders drain, nala desilting to avoid flooding

Hyderabad: HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath has called for desilting of drains and stormwater channels to prevent monsoon flooding in the city.

He said desilting of nalas would significantly reduce the risk of floodwaters inundating residential areas during the rainy season.

The Commissioner conducted field inspections of ongoing desilting works across several localities, including Rahmath Nagar, Krishna Nagar, Ameerpet, and Gayatri Nagar.

During the visit, he interacted with residents and reviewed the progress of works, while also assessing flood-prone spots and identifying underlying causes and possible solutions.

Complete silt removal is key to flood prevention

Ranganath directed officials to ensure that silt is cleared entirely from drains, even if temporary obstructions such as house entrances need to be removed in unavoidable situations.

He emphasized that such measures should be carried out promptly and restored without causing inconvenience to residents, as clearing obstructions is critical to maintaining smooth water flow.

He pointed out that the ongoing summer season offers the best opportunity to complete major desilting works, as undertaking such activities becomes difficult once the monsoon begins. Officials were instructed to ensure that there are no bottlenecks in water flow anywhere in the city before the onset of rains.

Residents’ input crucial; WhatsApp groups to aid monitoring

Highlighting the importance of community participation, the Commissioner urged representatives of colony welfare associations to create division-wise WhatsApp groups in areas like Krishna Nagar and Ameerpet. He requested them to provide regular updates on the progress of desilting works.

“Residents who face flooding issues understand the problems best. If they share accurate information about causes and possible solutions, authorities can act swiftly,” he said.

Focus on problem areas and monitoring mechanism

During the inspection, Ranganath reviewed large-scale silt removal near the Rahmath Nagar bridge and noted instances of sewage overflowing onto roads in Krishna Nagar even during summer. He directed officials to maintain clear tracking of desilting progress for every 100 meters to ensure accountability and effectiveness.

He assured that any requirement of additional machinery or resources would be met promptly if brought to his notice. Officials from GHMC and the Water Board were instructed to closely monitor the works and address any issues without delay.

Support from Disaster Response Teams

The Commissioner also assured that Disaster Response Force (DRF) personnel would support field teams and ensure that desilting operations proceed without disruption. He called for coordinated efforts between departments and active public participation to make the city flood-resilient ahead of the monsoon season.